The early access version of Minecraft: Education Edition is available now, and gives educators a chance to install and try an early version of the experience for free throughout the summer.
In May Microsoft hosted a Beta program, collecting feedback from more than 2,000 students and educators representing more than 100 schools in 26 countries around the world. Their detailed feedback helped fine-tune the experience across a diverse set of learning environments.
The early access version of Minecraft: Education Edition that we are releasing today includes several key features that the community told us are important for enhancing the learning environment, including easy classroom collaboration, Non-Player Characters, and camera and portfolio features that allow students to take screenshots of their work and document the development of their projects.
Microsoft are also releasing updated classroom content and curriculum to help educators get started quickly using Minecraft: Education Edition. Sample lessons range across subjects and age levels, and include “City Planning for Population Growth”, “Exploring factors and multiples”, and “Effects of deforestation”.
More information on Minecraft: Education Edition can be found here education.minecraft.net.